Spending in the eurozone fell 0.3 percent in the first three months of this year after falling 1 percent in the previous quarter.
Across Europe, countries swiftly stockpiled energy reserves, and a mild winter, together with mass conservation efforts, helped avoid the worst.
The strategy has helped drive down the price of energy, and inflation in the eurozone’s biggest economies climbed down from record highs.
In May, the annual rate of inflation was 6.1 percent, the eurozone’s lowest level in more than a year.
The International Monetary Fund has warned that European policymakers’ main challenge this year would be to tame inflation without stoking a severe recession.
Persons:
” Claus Vistesen, “, ”
Organizations:
“, Pantheon, European Central Bank, Monetary Fund, ’, Analysts, ING Bank, Bank’s
Locations:
Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Netherlands, France, Ukraine, Europe